Collapsible case

ABSTRACT

A collapsible container ( 200 ) for a product ( 202 ) that may be elastically compressible. The collapsible container design may reduce or prevent damage or permanent deformation of the collapsible container during lacement of a load on the container. The collapsible container includes a plurality of collapsible panels ( 106 A-D) that articulate in a specific manner during placement of a load, resulting in a controlled and temporary partial collapse of the container from an expanded position to a collapsed position. After removal of the load from the collapsible container, the elastically compressible product may decompress and force the collapsible container to expand from the collapsed position back to the expanded position.

BACKGROUND

Containers such as cardboard boxes are often used to ship items inquantity to a product retailer or end user. Cardboard boxes aretypically fabricated from corrugated cardboard to enhance strength ofthe container to prevent damage to the product within during shippingand storage. A cardboard box may be manufactured with a sufficientstrength and rigidity to resist crushing from one or more othercontainers stacked thereon when, for example, multiple containers areplaced on a shipping pallet. High-strength containers, however, are moreexpensive to manufacture and create more waste than lower-strengthcontainers.

Cardboard boxes have been manufactured to be collapsible, for example,to reduce the storage space required for the empty container before use.These collapsible cardboard boxes may be manufactured with one or moreseams that are designed to fold and minimize the space required to storethe collapsed empty boxes.

A shipping container such as a cardboard box that may be manufactured ata lower cost using a lower strength cardboard and less material volume,thereby generating less waste and/or recycling, would be a welcomeaddition to the art.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of one or more embodiments of the presentteachings. This summary is not an extensive overview, nor is it intendedto identify key or critical elements of the present teachings, nor todelineate the scope of the disclosure. Rather, its primary purpose ismerely to present one or more concepts in simplified form as a preludeto the detailed description presented later.

In accordance with the present teachings, a collapsible container blankmay include a plurality of end panels, a plurality of side panels, and aplurality of collapsible panels, wherein each collapsible panel isinterposed between, and connected to, one of the end panels and one ofthe side panels. The collapsible container blank may also include aplurality of end panel folds, wherein each end panel fold separates oneof the end panels from one of the collapsible panels, a plurality ofcollapsible panel folds, wherein each collapsible panel fold separatesone of the collapsible panels from one of the side panels, and aplurality of end panel folds, wherein each end panel fold separates oneof the side panels from one of the end panels.

Optionally, the plurality of end panels may be a plurality of top endpanels, the plurality of end panel folds may be a plurality of top endpanel folds, wherein each top end panel fold separates one of the topend panels from one of the collapsible panels. Further, the plurality ofcollapsible panel folds may be a plurality of collapsible panel bottomfolds, wherein each collapsible panel is interposed between, andconnected to, one of the top end panels and one of the side panels. Thecontainer blank may further include a plurality of bottom end panels,wherein each side panel is connected to one of the bottom end panels andinterposed between one of the collapsible panels and one of the bottomend panels, and a plurality of bottom end panel folds, wherein eachbottom end panel fold separates one of the side panels from one of thebottom end panels.

Optionally, the collapsible container blank may further include aplurality of collapsible panel midline folds, wherein each collapsiblepanel midline fold bisects one of the collapsible panels.

Optionally the collapsible container blank may further include aplurality of top end panel cutouts defined by a perimeter of thecollapsible container blank, wherein each top end panel cutout separatesone of the top end panels from an adjacent top end panel, and aplurality of bottom end panel cutouts defined by the perimeter of thecollapsible container blank, wherein each bottom end panel cutoutseparates one of the bottom end panels from an adjacent bottom endpanel.

Optionally, each top end panel cutout may have a first width and a firstheight, and each bottom end panel cutout may have a second width and asecond height, wherein the first height is greater than the secondheight. Further optionally, the first height may be at least 1.1 timesthe second height and the first width may be from 1.25 times to 3.0times the second width.

Optionally, after an assembly of the collapsible container blank, theplurality of collapsible panels may be configured to articulate uponplacing a load on a top surface of the container from an expandedposition to a collapsed position and to return to the expanded positionwhen the load is removed from the top surface of the container.

Optionally, each collapsible panel may be configured to fold at one ofthe collapsible panel midline folds, to hinge at one of the top endpanel folds, and to hinge at one of the collapsible panel bottom foldsduring the articulation from the expanded position to the collapsedposition and from the collapsed position to the expanded position.

The present teachings also include a folded and assembled collapsiblecontainer including a plurality of top end panels that form a top of theassembled container, a plurality of side panels that form a plurality ofsides of the assembled container, a plurality of collapsible panels,wherein each collapsible panel is interposed between, and connected to,one of the top end panels and one of the side panels, a plurality ofbottom end panels that form a bottom of the assembled container, whereineach side panel is connected to one of the bottom end panels andinterposed between one of the collapsible panels and one of the bottomend panels, a plurality of top end panel folds, wherein each top endpanel fold separates one of the top end panels from one of thecollapsible panels, a plurality of collapsible panel bottom folds,wherein each collapsible panel bottom fold separates one of thecollapsible panels from one of the side panels, and a plurality ofbottom end panel folds, wherein each bottom end panel fold separates oneof the side panels from one of the bottom end panels.

Optionally, the folded and assembled collapsible container may include aplurality of collapsible panel midline folds, wherein each collapsiblepanel midline fold bisects one of the collapsible panels.

Optionally, the folded and assembled collapsible container may include aplurality of collapsible panel midline folds, wherein each collapsiblepanel midline fold does not bisect one of the collapsible panels.

Optionally, the folded and assembled collapsible container may include aplurality of top end panel cutouts, wherein each top end panel cutoutseparates one of the top end panels from an adjacent top end panel, anda plurality of bottom end panel cutouts, wherein each bottom end panelcutout separates one of the bottom end panels from an adjacent bottomend panel.

Optionally, the collapsible container may have a first height in a fullyexpanded position and a second height in a fully compressed position,wherein the second height is at least 0.9 times the first height.

Optionally, the plurality of collapsible panels may be configured toarticulate upon placing a load on a top surface of the container from anexpanded position to a collapsed position and to expand toward theexpanded position when the load is removed from the top surface of thecontainer.

Optionally, each collapsible panel may be configured to fold at one ofthe collapsible panel midlines, to hinge at one of the top end panelfolds, and to hinge at one of the collapsible panel bottom folds duringthe articulation from the expanded position to the collapsed positionand from the collapsed position to the expanded position.

The present teachings also include a method for supporting a load usinga collapsible container. The method may include placing a load onto anupper surface of the collapsible container. Responsive to the placing ofthe load on the upper surface of the collapsible container, the methodmay further include collapsing a plurality of collapsible panels. Duringthe collapsing of the plurality of collapsible panels, each collapsiblepanel may fold at a collapsible panel midline, each collapsible panelmay hinge at a top end panel fold, and each collapsible panel hinges ata collapsible panel bottom fold. The method may further include removingthe load from the upper surface of the collapsible container. Responsiveto the removing of the load from the upper surface of the collapsiblecontainer, the method may further include extending the plurality ofcollapsible panels. During the extending of the plurality of collapsiblepanels, each collapsible panel may unfold at the collapsible panelmidline, each collapsible panel may hinge at the top end panel fold, andeach collapsible panel hinges at the collapsible panel bottom fold.

Optionally, the method may further include transferring a weight of theload from the collapsible container to a compressible product within thecollapsible container during the placing of the load onto the uppersurface of the collapsible container.

Optionally, the method may further include compressing the compressibleproduct during the placing of the load onto the upper surface of thecollapsible container.

Optionally, the removing of the load from the upper surface of thecollapsible container results in an expansion of the compressibleproduct.

Optionally, during the expansion of the compressible product, thecompressible product may force the collapsible container from acollapsed position toward an expanded position.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view depicting an unfolded and unassembled box blankaccording to an embodiment of the present teachings.

FIG. 2 is a side view depicting a folded and assembled box according toan embodiment of the present teachings, and a product within the box.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the FIG. 1 box during placement of a load onthe top of the box that partially collapses the box.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the FIG. 1 box after placement of a load on thetop of the box that fully collapses the box.

FIG. 5 is a plan view depicting a portion of an unfolded and unassembledbox blank according to another embodiment of the present teachings.

It should be noted that some details of the FIGS. have been simplifiedand are drawn to facilitate understanding of the present teachingsrather than to maintain strict structural accuracy, detail, and scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each andevery value that is within the range. Any value within the range can beselected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references citedherein are hereby incorporated by referenced in their entireties. In theevent of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and thatof a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

The present teachings may include a container such as a collapsiblecardboard box. A product being stored or shipped may be positionedwithin the container during a controlled collapse of the container.Additionally, the product within the container may itself becollapsible. During use of the collapsible container, a top surface ofthe container may rest on an upper surface of the product within, or thetop surface of the container may be above the upper surface of theproduct. When a weight such as another container is placed on the topsurface of the container, the collapsible container may controllablydeformed along folds and/or score lines through the application of theweight, such that the product itself may then received and support atleast a portion of the weight. In addition, the product itself may alsopartially compress during the application of the weight. When the weightis removed, the product within the container may expand or decompress,thereby pushing on the top surface from the inside of the container,thereby re-forming the container. The folds and/or score lines controlthe collapse and prevent the container from being crushed andpermanently deformed by the weight. Because the product within thecontainer, and not the container itself, wholly or largely supports theweight from a top load, the container may be formed from lighter andless costly materials.

FIG. 1 is a plan view depicting an unassembled and unfolded container orbox blank 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present teachings.It will be understood that a box blank 100 according to the presentteachings may include other features that are not depicted forsimplicity, while various depicted features may be removed or modified.The FIG. 1 box blank 100 includes a perimeter 102 and defines aplurality of panels, including a plurality of top end panels (e.g., topend flaps) 104A-104D, a plurality of collapsible panels 106A-106D, aplurality of side panels 108A-108D, a plurality of bottom end panels(e.g., bottom end flaps) 110A-110D, and an assembly panel 112. Theplurality of top end panels 104A-104D may be proximate a first end(e.g., top end) 114 of the box blank 100, while the plurality of bottomend panels 110A-110D may be proximate a second end (e.g., a bottom end)118 of the box blank 100.

Each of the plurality of top end panels 104A-104D may be separated fromat least one adjacent top end panel by a top end panel cutout 120A-120C.Each of the plurality of bottom end panels 110A-110D may be separatedfrom at least one adjacent bottom end panel by a bottom end cutout122A-122C.

The box blank 100 may further include a plurality of pre-creased,pre-formed, or scored folds that assist during assembly of the box blank100 into a completed box or container. These include a plurality of topend panel folds 124A-124D, a plurality of bottom end panel folds126A-126D, a plurality of side panel folds 127A-127C and an assemblypanel fold 128.

The box blank 100 may further include a plurality of pre-creased,pre-formed, or scored folds that assist to control a collapse of theassembled box during use. These include a plurality of collapsible panelmidline folds 130A-130D and a plurality of collapsible panel bottomfolds 132A-132D. In addition, the plurality of top end panel folds124A-124D may also assist to control the collapse of the assembled boxduring use and may, therefore, be referred to herein as collapsiblepanel top folds 124A-124D.

As depicted in FIG. 1, each of the top end panel cutouts 120A-120D has awidth W₁ and a height H₁. The height H₁ of each top end panel cutout120A-120C is a distance between an edge 134A-134D of each top end panel104A-104D and the lower collapsible panel 106A-106D bottom fold132A-132D. In other words, the height H₁ of each top panel cutout120A-120C is equal to a height H₂ of the top end panel 104A-104D betweenthe edge 134A-134D and the top end panel fold 124A-124D, plus a heightH₃ of the collapsible panel 106A-106D from the top end panel fold124A-124D to the collapsible panel bottom fold 132A-132D. As depicted, aportion of each top panel cutout 120A-120C is positioned between, andthus physically separates, each collapsible panel 106A-106D from anadjacent collapsible panel 106A-106D.

As depicted in FIG. 1, each of the bottom end panel cutouts 122A-122Chas a width W₂, that may be the same as width W₁ or different, and aheight H₄ that is different than height H₁. The height H₄ of each bottomend panel cutout 122A-122D is a distance between an edge 136A-136D ofeach bottom end panel 110A-110D and the bottom end panel fold 126A-126D.Height H₄ also approximates a height of each bottom end panel 110A-110D.Because the height H₄ of each bottom end panel 110A-110D will beapproximately the same as the height H₂ of each top end panel 104A-104D,the height H₁ of each top end panel cutout 120A-120C will be greaterthan the height H₄ of each bottom end panel cutout 122A-122C byapproximately the height H₃ of each collapsible panel 106A-106D from thecollapsible panel upper fold 124A-124D to the collapsible panel lowerfold 132A-132D. In an embodiment, height H₁ may be at least about 1.1times, or from about 1.1 times to about 1.5 times, or from about 1.2times to about 1.3 times, height H₄. A width W₂ of each bottom end panelcutout 122A-122C may be the same or different than the width W₁ of eachtop end panel cutout 120A-120C. Additionally, a total height of thefolded and assembled box in an expanded position is determined, at leastin part, by a height H₅ of the side panels 108A-108D added to the heightH₃ of the collapsible panels 106A-106D. A total height of the folded andassembled box in a collapsed position is determined, at least in part,by the height H₅ of the side panels 108A-108D. In general, height H₃ maybe, for example, about 0.2 times or less, or about 0.1 times or less,the height H₅. such that an overall height of the folded and assembledbox in the expanded position is about 1.2 times or less, or about 1.1times or less, an overall height of the folded and assembled box in thecollapsed position. Additionally, height H₃ may be, for example, atleast about 0.05 times height H₅. The heights of the folded andassembled box in the expanded position and the contracted position willvary somewhat with the thickness of the material used to manufacture theblank. A width W₃ of each top end panel 104A-104D may be the same ordifferent than a width W₄ of each bottom end panel 110A-110D.Additionally, each top end panel 104A-104D may have a width that is thesame or different from one or more adjacent top end panels 104A-104D,and each bottom end panel 110A-110D may have a width that is the same ordifferent from one or more adjacent bottom end panels 110A-110D.

FIGS. 2-4 are side views depicting the box blank 100 after folding andassembly to form a completed container or box 200 during use for storingand/or shipping a compressible product 202. The side views of FIGS. 2-4depict the second side panel 108B, but are generally illustrative ofeach of the four sides of the box 200. In this embodiment, thecompressible product 202 is a bottle storing, for example, a liquid 204,although other compressible products are contemplated. In FIGS. 2-4, theplurality of top end panels 104A-104D form a top of the box 200, forexample, a horizontal top of the box 200. Further, the plurality of sidepanels 108A-108D form a plurality of sides of the box 200, for example,vertical sides of the box 200. Moreover, the plurality of bottom endpanels 110A-110D form a bottom of the box 200, for example, a horizontalbottom of the box 200. In the folded and assembled box 200, the assemblypanel 112 may be mechanically attached to the to the first side panel108A using, for example, adhesive, staples, tabs inserted into slots,etc.

FIG. 2 depicts the box 200 prior to compression and while in anexpanded, extended, or uncollapsed position. In an embodiment, the box200 may be specifically designed for a height of the product 202 suchthat, prior to compression, a bottom surface 206 of the product 202rests on one or more bottom end panels 110 and a top surface 208 of theproduct 202 physically contacts (i.e., touches) one or more top endpanels 104. In another embodiment, the top surface 208 of the product202 may be slightly below one or more top end panels 104, for example,about 15 millimeters (mm) or less, or about 10 mm or less, below one ormore top end panels 104.

FIG. 3 depicts the box 200 during placement of a load 300 on an uppersurface of the box 200, for example, on one or more top end panels 104.The box 200 of FIG. 2 is in a partially collapsed position. The load 300may be, for example, one or more other boxes 200. During placement ofthe load 300 on the upper surface of the box 200, the top end panels 104are forced downward such that, if the top end panels 104 are not alreadyin physical contact with the top surface of the product, they physicallycontact the top surface 208 of the product 202. Support of the load isthus transferred from the box 200 to the product 202 within the box 200.Further, during placement of the load, the product 202 within the box200 may elastically compress from the weight of the load 300. Incontrast to some conventional containers, which may permanently deformfrom the weight of the load 300, the box 200 articulates so that the box200 is not permanently deformed.

During the articulation, each collapsible panel 106A-106D folds inwardtoward an interior of the box 200, particularly at each collapsiblepanel midline fold 130A-130D, using the collapsible panel top folds124A-124D and the collapsible panel bottom folds 132A-132D as hingepoints. The collapsible panel midline folds 132A-132D extends inwardtoward the interior rather than outward to avoid physical contact of thecollapsible panels 106A-106D with any adjacent box 200 or other surfacesuch as a wall. Thus, during use of the collapsible container 200, thecollapsible container 200 may be used to support the load 300. In anembodiment, the load 300 is placed onto the upper surface of thecollapsible container 200. Responsive to placing the load 300, thecollapsible panels 106A-106D collapse, during which each collapsiblepanel 106A-106D folds at the collapsible panel midline 130A-130D, eachcollapsible panel hinges at the top end panel fold 124A-124D, and eachcollapsible panel 106A-106D hinges at the collapsible panel bottom fold132A-132D. Upon removal of the load 300, the plurality of collapsiblepanels 106A-106D extend, urged, in some embodiments, at least partiallyby the elastic decompression of the produce 202, during which eachcollapsible panel 106A-106D unfolds at the collapsible panel midline130A-130D, each collapsible panel 106A-106D hinges at the top end panelfold 124A-124D, and each collapsible panel 106A-106D hinges at thecollapsible panel bottom fold 132A-132D.

During manufacture of the box blank 100, the collapsible panels106A-106D may be manufactured such that the collapsible panels 106A-106Dare biased to fold inward toward the interior of the box 200 rather thanoutward. For example, the collapsible panel top folds 124A-124D and thecollapsible panel bottom folds 132A-132D may be formed by scoring orrolling the interior surface of the box blank 100, while the collapsiblepanel midline folds 130A-130D may be formed by scoring or rolling anexterior surface of the box blank 100.

The box 200 may only partially collapse to the position depicted in FIG.3, for example, if an intermediate weight load 300 is placed on top ofthe box 200 that causes the compressible product 202 to only partiallycompress and the box 200 to only partially collapse. As depicted in FIG.4, additional load placed on the top surface of the box 200 may resultin a full collapse of the collapsible panels 106A-106D and furthercompression of the compressible product 202. Further, the load 300 onthe box 200 may be a dynamic load that changes over time, for example,during transportation within a vehicle over uneven surfaces. In a fullcollapse of the box 200, the outer surface of each collapsible panel106A-106D between the collapsible panel top fold 124A-124D and thecollapsible panel midline fold 130A-130D may physically contact theouter surface of each collapsible panel between the collapsible panelmidline fold 130A-130D and the collapsible panel bottom fold 132A-132D.By collapsing the box 200, the load 300 is transferred to the product202, such that the box 200 may be manufactured from less rigid orstructurally sound materials, thereby reducing materials and costs.

During removal of the load 300 from the box 200, the elasticallycompressible product 202 within the box 200 expands or decompresses, andmay return to its original shape and height of the FIG. 2 depiction, ormay partially return to its original shape and height, for example, whenthe load 300 is dynamic. This expansion pushes on one or more top endpanels 104A-104D, urging and/or forcing the box 200 back into, orapproximately into, the FIG. 2 position. The collapsible panels106A-106D, thereby, reduce or prevent cosmetic or structural damage tothe box 200 from the load 300, which may otherwise occur if the box 200alone supported the load 300 or did not include the collapsible panels106A-106D.

In contrast to prior collapsible boxes that collapse to minimize astorage space of the empty box when not in use, the collapsible box 200is designed to collapse while holding or containing a product 202, forexample, an elastically compressible product 202. The box 200 collapsesas described above, for example, from the expanded position of FIG. 2 tothe fully collapsed position of FIG. 4. Upon removal of the load 300,the box 200 and product 202 may return to the fully expanded position ofFIG. 2, or to a partially expanded position of FIG. 3.

In an embodiment, the width W₁ of each top end panel cutout 120A-120C issufficiently wide to prevent adjacent collapsible panels 106A-106D fromphysically contacting or impinging on each other during collapse of thepanels. To prevent physical contact between adjacent collapsible panels106A-106D during the fully collapsed position of FIG. 4, the width W₁may be equal to or greater than the height H₃ of one of the collapsiblepanels 106A-106D. If W₁ is less than H₃, adjacent collapsible panels106A-106D may physically contact each other, for example, at thecollapsible panel midline folds 130A-130D. Thus the width W₁ of each topend panel cutout 120A-120C may be wider than the width W₂ of each bottomend panel cutout 122A-122C, as the latter does not require thisrestriction. In an embodiment, width W₁ may be from about 1.0 times andabout 3.0 times, or from about 1.25 times to about 3.0 times, or fromabout 1.5 times to about 2.5 times, width W₂.

In the FIG. 2 position, the box may have a first height that extendsfrom the bottom surface to the top surface, and each panel 106A-106D mayhave a second height that extends from the collapsible panel bottom fold132A-132D to the collapsible panel top fold 124A-124D. In an embodiment,the second height of each collapsible panel 106A-106D may be about 30%or less, or about 15% or less, of the first height of the box 200. In anembodiment, the second height of each collapsible panel 106A-106D may beabout 5% or more of the first height of the box 200.

Additionally, the assembled box 200 may have a first interior volumewhen in the fully expanded position of FIG. 2, and a second interiorvolume when in the fully compressed position of FIG. 4. In anembodiment, the second interior volume in the fully compressed positionmay be about 90% or more, or about 95% or more, of the first interiorvolume in the fully expanded position.

Moreover, the assembled box 200 may have a first height in the fullyexpanded position of FIG. 1 that extends from the bottom surface to thetop surface, and a second height in the fully compressed position ofFIG. 4 that extends from the bottom surface to the top surface. Thesecond height of FIG. 4 may be about 80% (i.e., 0.8 times), or about 90%(i.e., 0.9 times), or about 95% (i.e., 0.95 times) the first height ofFIG. 1.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the box blank 100 has variouscharacteristics. For example, each of the plurality of side folds127A-127C is aligned with a longitudinal midpoint of one of the top endpanel cutouts 120A-120C. In other words, an axis of each side fold127A-127C bisects the width W₁ of one of the top end panel cutouts120A-120C. Additionally, a longitudinal axis of each of the plurality ofcollapsible panel midline folds 130A-130D is aligned with the axes ofeach of the other collapsible midline folds 130A-130D. Further, adistance between each collapsible panel top fold 124A-124D and a paired(i.e., on the same top end panel 104A-104D) collapsible midline fold130A-130D is the same as a distance between each collapsible midlinefold 130A-130D and a paired collapsible panel bottom fold 132A-132D. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 1, where each collapsible panel midline fold103A-130D bisects the height H₃, the maximum distance the folded andassembled box is able to collapse within the collapsible panels is0.5×H₃.

FIG. 5 is a depiction of part of a box blank 500 that is designed withto have different characteristics than the embodiment of FIG. 1. It willbe appreciated that while FIG. 5 depicts only two top end panels 504A,504B and two side panels 508A, 508B for simplicity of explanation, thebox blank 500 may have bottom end panels 110 and three or more sidepanels and three or more top end panels, for example, as depicted anddescribed with reference to FIG. 1. It will be further appreciated that,in a box blank for a four sided box, the two side panels 508A, 508B andtwo top end panels 504A, 504B may be repeated such that the box blank500 has four top end panels, four side panels, as well as four bottomend panels.

In the FIG. 5 depiction, the side fold 527A is not aligned with alongitudinal midpoint of the top end panel cutout 520A. In other words,the axis of the side fold 127A does not bisect the width W₅ of the topend panel cutout 520A. The top end panel cutout 520A has a width W₅,where W₅=W_(5A)+W_(5B), but W_(5A)≠W_(5B). In some embodiments, thisarrangement may prevent adjacent collapsible panels 506A, 506B fromphysically contacting or impinging on each other during collapse of thepanels.

Additionally, in the FIG. 5 embodiment, a longitudinal axis of each ofthe plurality of collapsible panel midline folds 530A, 530B is notaligned with the axes of adjacent collapsible midline folds 530A, 530B,although the axes of alternating collapsible panels may be aligned. Inthis arrangement, a distance between each collapsible panel top fold524A, 524B and a paired (i.e., on the same top end panel 504A, 504B)collapsible midline fold 530A, 530B is not the same as a distancebetween each collapsible midline fold 530A, 530B and a pairedcollapsible panel bottom fold 532A, 532B. In the embodiment of FIG. 5,where each collapsible panel midline fold 530A, 530B does not bisect theheight H₆ of each collapsible panel 506A, 506B, the maximum distance thefolded and assembled box is able to collapse within the collapsiblepanels is less than 0.5×H₃.

FIG. 1 depicts a box blank for a box having four top end panels104A-104D, four collapsible panels 106A-106D, four side panels108A-108D, and four bottom end panels 110A-110D, and thus form a box 200having six sides. It will be appreciated that boxes having otherconfigurations, for example, boxes having three, five, six, seven, etc.,side panels and other structures appropriately modified to form a boxhaving collapsible side panels are also contemplated. Additionally, thecollapsible container 200 may be manufactured from a material such ascardboard, for example, a corrugated cardboard including a recycledcorrugated cardboard, or a synthetic material such as plastic. Moreover,while the depiction of the unfolded and unassembled box blank 100 ofFIG. 1, and the resulting folded and assembled box of FIGS. 2-4, depicta regular slotted case (RSC), it will be appreciated that an embodimentof the present teachings may be formed as a wrap-around case or a tray.

Further, while FIGS. 2-4 depict the collapsible panels 106A-106D at anupper end of the collapsible container 200 and attached to top endpanels 104A-104D, it will be appreciated that the collapsible panels106A-106D may be positioned at a lower end of the collapsible container200 and attached to bottom end panels 110A-110D. In another aspect, ifthe collapsible container 200 of FIGS. 2-4 is inverted (i.e., verticallyrotated or flipped 180°) the top of the collapsible container 200 ofFIGS. 2-4 will become the bottom and the bottom will become the top.Thus it will be understood that the terms “top” and “bottom” herein aredescriptive but without reference to a physical orientation of eitherthe collapsible container blank 100 or the folded and assembledcollapsible container 200.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forththe broad scope of the present teachings are approximations, thenumerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported asprecisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently containscertain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation foundin their respective testing measurements. Moreover, all ranges disclosedherein are to be understood to encompass any and all sub-ranges subsumedtherein. For example, a range of “less than 10” can include any and allsub-ranges between (and including) the minimum value of zero and themaximum value of 10, that is, any and all sub-ranges having a minimumvalue of equal to or greater than zero and a maximum value of equal toor less than 10, e.g., 1 to 5. In certain cases, the numerical values asstated for the parameter can take on negative values. In this case, theexample value of range stated as “less than 10” can assume negativevalues, e.g. −1, −2, −3, −10, −20, −30, etc.

While the present teachings have been illustrated with respect to one ormore implementations, alterations and/or modifications can be made tothe illustrated examples without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. For example, it will be appreciated that while theprocess is described as a series of acts or events, the presentteachings are not limited by the ordering of such acts or events. Someacts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other actsor events apart from those described herein. Also, not all processstages may be required to implement a methodology in accordance with oneor more aspects or embodiments of the present teachings. It will beappreciated that structural components and/or processing stages can beadded or existing structural components and/or processing stages can beremoved or modified. Further, one or more of the acts depicted hereinmay be carried out in one or more separate acts and/or phases.Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “including,” “includes,”“having,” “has,” “with,” or variants thereof are used in either thedetailed description and the claims, such terms are intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” The term “atleast one of” is used to mean one or more of the listed items can beselected. Further, in the discussion and claims herein, the term “on”used with respect to two materials, one “on” the other, means at leastsome contact between the materials, while “over” means the materials arein proximity, but possibly with one or more additional interveningmaterials such that contact is possible but not required. Neither “on”nor “over” implies any directionality as used herein. The term“conformal” describes a coating material in which angles of theunderlying material are preserved by the conformal material. The term“about” indicates that the value listed may be somewhat altered, as longas the alteration does not result in nonconformance of the process orstructure to the illustrated embodiment. Finally, “exemplary” indicatesthe description is used as an example, rather than implying that it isan ideal. Other embodiments of the present teachings will be apparent tothose skilled in the art from consideration of the specification andpractice of the disclosure herein. It is intended that the specificationand examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope andspirit of the present teachings being indicated by the following claims.

Terms of relative position as used in this application are defined basedon a plane parallel to the conventional plane or working surface of aworkpiece, regardless of the orientation of the workpiece. The term“horizontal” or “lateral” as used in this application is defined as aplane parallel to the conventional plane or working surface of aworkpiece, regardless of the orientation of the workpiece. The term“vertical” refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal. Termssuch as “on,” “side” (as in “sidewall”), “higher,” “lower,” “over,”“top,” and “under” are defined with respect to the conventional plane orworking surface being on the top surface of the workpiece, regardless ofthe orientation of the workpiece.

What is claimed is:
 1. A collapsible container blank, comprising: aplurality of top end panels; a plurality of side panels; a plurality ofcollapsible panels, wherein each collapsible panel is interposedbetween, and connected to, one of the top end panels and one of the sidepanels; a plurality of top end panel folds, wherein each top end panelfold separates one of the top end panels from one of the collapsiblepanels; a plurality of collapsible panel bottom folds, wherein eachcollapsible panel bottom fold separates one of the collapsible panelsfrom one of the side panels; a plurality of bottom end panels, whereineach side panel is connected to one of the bottom end panels andinterposed between one of the collapsible panels and one of the bottomend panels; a plurality of bottom end panel folds, wherein each bottomend panel fold separates one of the side panels from one of the bottomend panels; a plurality of collapsible panel midline folds, wherein eachcollapsible panel midline fold bisects one of the collapsible panels; aplurality of top end panel cutouts defined by a perimeter of thecollapsible container blank, wherein each top end panel cutout separatesone of the top end panels from an adjacent top end panel; and aplurality of bottom end panel cutouts defined by the perimeter of thecollapsible container blank, wherein each bottom end panel cutoutseparates one of the bottom end panels from an adjacent bottom endpanel; wherein a width of at least one of the collapsible panels issmaller than a width of a corresponding one of the top end panels towhich the at least one of the collapsible panels is connected.
 2. Thecollapsible container blank of claim 1, wherein each top end panelcutout has a first width and a first height, and each bottom end panelcutout has a second width and a second height, wherein the first heightis greater than the second height.
 3. The collapsible container blank ofclaim 2, wherein the first height is at least 1.1 times the secondheight and the first width is from 1.25 times to 3.0 times the secondwidth.
 4. The collapsible container blank of claim 1 wherein, after anassembly of the collapsible container blank into a container, theplurality of collapsible panels are configured to articulate uponplacing a load on a top surface of the container from an expandedposition to a collapsed position and to return to the expanded positionwhen the load is removed from the top surface of the container.
 5. Thecollapsible container blank of claim 1, wherein each collapsible panelis configured to fold at one of the collapsible panel midline folds, tohinge at one of the top end panel folds, and to hinge at one of thecollapsible panel bottom folds during the articulation from the expandedposition to the collapsed position and from the collapsed position tothe expanded position.
 6. A folded and assembled collapsible container,comprising: a plurality of top end panels that form a top of theassembled container; a plurality of side panels that form a plurality ofsides of the assembled container; a plurality of collapsible panels,wherein each collapsible panel is interposed between, and connected to,one of the top end panels and one of the side panels; a plurality ofcollapsible panel midline folds, wherein each collapsible panel midlinefold bisects one of the collapsible panels into two equal parts; aplurality of bottom end panels that form a bottom of the assembledcontainer, wherein each side panel is connected to one of the bottom endpanels and interposed between one of the collapsible panels and one ofthe bottom end panels; a plurality of top end panel folds, wherein eachtop end panel fold separates one of the top end panels from one of thecollapsible panels; a plurality of collapsible panel bottom folds,wherein each collapsible panel bottom fold separates one of thecollapsible panels from one of the side panels; a plurality of bottomend panel folds, wherein each bottom end panel fold separates one of theside panels from one of the bottom end panels; a plurality of top endpanel cutouts, wherein each top end panel cutout separates one of thetop end panels from an adjacent top end panel; and a plurality of bottomend panel cutouts, wherein each bottom end panel cutout separates one ofthe bottom end panels from an adjacent bottom end panel; wherein a widthof at least one of the collapsible panels is smaller than a width of acorresponding one of the top end panels to which the at least one of thecollapsible panels is connected.
 7. The folded and assembled collapsiblecontainer of claim 6, wherein: the collapsible container comprises afirst height in a fully expanded position; and the collapsible containercomprises a second height in a fully compressed position, wherein thesecond height is at least 0.9 times the first height.
 8. The folded andassembled collapsible container of claim 6, wherein the plurality ofcollapsible panels are configured to articulate upon placing a load on atop surface of the container from an expanded position to a collapsedposition and to expand toward the expanded position when the load isremoved from the top surface of the container.
 9. The folded andassembled collapsible container of claim 8, wherein each collapsiblepanel is configured to fold at one of the collapsible panel midlines, tohinge at one of the top end panel folds, and to hinge at one of thecollapsible panel bottom folds during the articulation from the expandedposition to the collapsed position and from the collapsed position tothe expanded position.